China expresses ‘serious concern’ over latest US trade restrictions

BEIJING, China — China’s top trade official told his counterparts from the United States on Thursday Beijing had “serious concern” over Washington’s latest trade restrictions, according to state media. China and the United States spent much of last year embroiled in an escalating trade war but reached a truce when US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met last October. Tensions have risen again, however, over fresh US tariffs imposed on a majority of its trading partners last week. Beijing condemned the duties imposed on China and 59 other countries over alleged forced labour concerns, and warned…